Portafilters, baskets and tamping tools

Will Any 51 mm Bottomless Portafilter Fit a De'Longhi, CASABREWS or Smeg Machine?

Published · By the Espresso Shortlist editors · Prices and specs as of that date, from the pages under Sources

Summary

No, because the 51 mm figure describes the basket, and the part that twists into the machine differs between these brands. Normcore makes four different 51 mm heads, three of them for De'Longhi machines, and De'Longhi's own $99.95 bottomless portafilter is listed only for its La Specialista and Dedica Maestro models. CASABREWS sells its $45 version for the CM5418 and 3700 Series and names no other machine. The only Smeg model any of the three names is the ECF01, which Normcore groups with the older Dedica.

Which head each seller lists

ProductHeadMachines the seller namesPrice
De'Longhi DLSC08551 mm"All De'Longhi La Specialista and De'Longhi Dedica Maestro models"$99.95
Normcore, De'Longhi51 mm, 2 earsDe'Longhi ECP3420, EC155, BCO430, EC260$59.99, walnut $63.99
Normcore, De'Longhi Dedica51 mm, 3 earsDe'Longhi Dedica EC680, EC685, EC885 and Smeg ECF01$59.99, walnut $63.99
Normcore, De'Longhi La Specialista51 mm, 3 earsLa Specialista EC9335, 9665, 9155, 9355, EC950 and Dedica Maestro Plus$59.99, walnut $63.99
Normcore, La Pavoni51 mm, 2 earsLa Pavoni$59.99, walnut $63.99
CASABREWS51 mmCM5418 and 3700 Series$45.00

Two of Normcore's heads have three ears, so counting the ears on the portafilter you already own doesn't settle it. An EC685 owner and a Dedica Maestro Plus owner both have a Dedica, and Normcore sends them to different heads. De'Longhi's own DLSC085 names the Maestro family and says nothing about the older Dedica models or the two-ear ECP and EC155 machines.

What comes in the box differs too. De'Longhi includes a double shot basket with its stainless steel and rosewood portafilter. CASABREWS includes a double shot basket and a puck screen, and suggests 14 g of coffee. Neither page says whether the basket is pressurized.

Smeg, and why a tamper is easier

Smeg's US product sheet for the ECF02 lists a "Filterholder diameter 51 mm." The sheet for the ECF01 gives no figure, and neither De'Longhi nor CASABREWS names a Smeg machine for its bottomless portafilter.

The one De'Longhi page that mentions Smeg is for its $29.95 DLSC080 tamper, which De'Longhi says will fit "other brands that use the same diameter, like Smeg or Casabrews." A tamper only has to match the width of the basket. A portafilter also has to lock into the group, and for that part the same company lists two model families.

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Sources

  1. De'Longhi — Bottomless portafilter DLSC085
  2. De'Longhi — Black Wood Espresso Tamper DLSC080
  3. Normcore — Bottomless Portafilter with Handle
  4. CASABREWS — 51mm Bottomless Portafilter
  5. Smeg — ECF02BLUS product sheet
  6. Smeg — ECF01BLUS product sheet

We have not tested these products. Specs, prices, stock and terms are as published on these pages on the date above and can change; check the manufacturer or retailer before you buy.

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